I keep having arguments with my better half about Skype. Please can you clear this matter up for me?? Does it cost or use up heaps of bandwidth making calls only over Skype (VoIP)? When receiving a video call, does it still chew thru ones bandwidth and how much of it does it use if so?

Robert MacEwan

April 29, 2012 at 2:47 pm

All things being equal you're looking at your usage at around 15 mb for 30 minute video call. Depending on your platform flavor (Mac, Lin or Win) a meter may be found via Skype menu exploration.

cheers

Bruce Epper

April 29, 2012 at 1:25 pm

Any time you use the internet for ANYTHING, it burns your traffic allotment. The only question is how much is it using? If you are signed in to Skype, it will use up to 4kbps. If you are on an active voice call, it will use between 24 and 56kbps on average. If you are video calling, it will use up to 128kbps. If you are on a high quality video call, it will use up to 400kpbs and if you are using HD it will bounce up to about 1.2Mbps.

If you want to see the current usage while on an active call (this will only work if a call is active at the time), click on Call -> Call Technical Info. In the Basic section of the window that is displayed, you will see stats on the current upload and download rates.

Lee

April 28, 2012 at 8:08 pm

Do you mean making voice-only calls to other Skype users? If so, those are completely free. While on a voice call with Skype, it will use some bandwidth (everything does) but it wont be as much as a video call, because you are only transferring audio.

Kyem Ghosh

April 28, 2012 at 3:05 am

skype to skype calls are free. But you need to have a minimum internet bandwith of 40kbps or else you won't get your voice calls clearly (the voice comes like the one you get while making a call in low network). There will be no extra charge other than your internet data charge. But if you want skype to phone call, skype will charge you. Its a prepaid service. You need to recharge your skype account and then make some call to any phone. But this also needs a good bandwith of minimum 40kbps. Now choose your best.....